We would like to thank everyone that fished with The Bass Cast in 2023. Bellow is a list of al the teams in YELLOW that qualified for the December 9th Championship.
Casey & Dalton Warren Win CATT Waccamaw River, SC Nov 18, 2023
Next up is the Waccamaw River Fall Final Dec 2nd! If you entered 1 Fall Waccamaw River Qualifier you are eligible to enter!
Chris Jones & Ed Owens win the Waccamaw River Fall Points and will fish the Final Free plus Plaques!
The 2024 Phantom Outdoors Open with be July 27, 2024 at Bucksport Marina!
Casey & Dalton Warren win the Waccamaw River with 5 bass weighing 14.29 lbs!
Trey Cribb & Dylan McConnell 2nd with 13.11 lbs!
Ryan Inman 3rd and with the 2nd BF!
Keith & Rex Coker with the Academy BF at 5.75 lbs!
Chad & Elliot Pilson Win SML Bass Cast Tourney with 20.61lbs
November 19, 2023
Smith Mountain Lake, VA – Wrapping up the final regular season event of the Bass Cast Tourney on Smith Mountain Lake was a chilly adventure for the 22 teams that took on the challenge. Despite a cold start, the competition was as hot as ever but the fishing was not.
Chad and Elliot Pilson stole the show again, proving their angling skills by winning the day with a total catch just 1.45lbs heavier than the second-place team, Ryan and Wayne Mace, who pulled in an impressive 19.16lbs of fish. Mike Nichols and Mark Winn secured the third spot with 17.47lbs, and rounding out the top contenders were Shawn Holland and Lenny Wallace with 15.22lbs.
A special shout-out goes to the father-son team of Mike and Zack Lemaster, who snagged the “on the bubble” position and walked away with two 6″ 6th Sense TRACE Swimbaits as their prize.
As the regular season wraps up, the Bass Cast Tourney team sends appreciation to everyone who contributed to making it a success. Looking ahead, they’re excited about the championship and can’t wait to see the familiar faces of teams that participated in at least three events in 2023. By the way everyone the pot is sitting at $1,000.
Congrats to the winners, and here’s to more exciting bass fishing on Smith Mountain Lake in the seasons to come!
Click Here to See Final Standings
A special thank you to our on the bubble giveaway sponsor
Johnny Mayer & Chris Epting Win CATT Lake Murray, SC Nov 11, 2023
Next Lake Murray Fall CATT Qualifier is Nov 18th at Dreher Island State Park!
Chris Epting & Johnny Mayer win Murray with 5 bass weighing 19.99 lbs!
Roger Mckee & Jason Ries 2nd with 17.66 lbs!
Darryl Starkey & Garrett Starkey with a nice sack!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points |
| Johnny Mayer – Chris Epting | 4.81 | 19.99 | $1,090.00 | 110 |
| Jason Ries – Roger Mckee | 4.74 | 17.66 | $200.00 | 109 |
| Tim Huffstetler – Neal Huffstetler | 5.16 | 17.05 | $98.00 | 108 |
| Darryl Starkey – Garrett Starkey | 4.40 | 16.37 | 107 | |
| Hampton Anderson – Tyson Alvanos | 4.96 | 15.19 | $42.00 | 106 |
| Hans Cansler – Jon Holsenback | 4.79 | 11.66 | 105 | |
| Wayne Jeffcoat – Kevin Banks | 3.22 | 11.59 | 104 | |
| Ryan Raley | 4.58 | 7.97 | 103 | |
| Jeremy Medlock – Hunter Enlow | 0.00 | 3.53 | 102 | |
| Don Burnett – Rob Osborne | 0.00 | 0.00 | 92 | |
| Jody Wright – Jay Wright | 0.00 | 0.00 | 92 | |
| Josiah Gaza – Jonathan Wolverton | 0.00 | 0.00 | 92 | |
| Matt Mollohan | 0.00 | 0.00 | 92 | |
| Michael Smith | 0.00 | 0.00 | 92 | |
| Total Entrys | $1,120.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $650.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $1,430.00 | |||
| Murray 2023 Fall Final Fund | $240.00 | |||
| CATT | $50.00 | |||
| 2024 CATT Championship Fund | $50.00 | |||
| 2023 Murray Fall Final Total | $460.00 |
Phenomenal fishing opportunities provide backdrop for 2023 NPAA Conference.
| World Class Fishing Awaits |
| Phenomenal fishing opportunities provide backdrop for 2023 NPAA Conference. |
| Forestville, WI (November 17, 2023) – The upcoming 2024 “Passion to Profession” NPAA Conference in Fort Myers, Florida, January 5 – 7, 2024, will not only provide attendees with incredible career-building, educational and networking opportunities, the location couldn’t be better for nearby inshore saltwater and freshwater fishing.There are opportunities before the conference begins each day and after it closes to hit shore access spots where anglers like St. Croix Rod’s Marketing Director and NPAA Corporate Partner, Jesse Simpkins, says he had “one of the finest days of snook fishing ever”—and less than an hour’s drive from last winter’s conference.Pat Neu, NPAA President commented: “The opportunity to take advantage of Southwest Florida’s fishing opportunities and beautiful beaches was a key factor in choosing our conference location. If you have never visited Southwest Florida, you owe it to yourself to make this week a family event.”NEARBY FISHING OPPORTUNITIESFor more information on where to fish within a short drive (or walk) from the NPAA Conference, reach out to the folks at local bait/tackle dealers like Master Bait and Tackle right on Bonita Drive—recommended by local guide and NPAA member, Captain Debbie Hanson. Tell them you’re attending the NPAA conference, stop in and buy some bait and local lures, and chances are they’ll give you the scoop on easy-access, bridge, beach, and canal bites, including mangrove snapper, seatrout, and the occasional snook or redfish.But there are charter and guided options available, too, especially if you book soon—with fellow, well-known NPAA members! |
| Florida-Strain Largemouth Bass & Peacock Bass with Captain Debbie HansonNPAA member Captain Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, local radio host, freshwater guide, and owner of SheFishes2 Guide Service, living in Estero, Florida. Debbie’s fishing articles have appeared in publications including Florida Game & Fish, Boat US, USA Today Hunt & Fish, and Gulfshore Life. She is also a weekly blogger and content-producer for TakeMeFishing.org. Additionally, Hanson has appeared on countless nationally-televised saltwater and freshwater fishing shows.Captain Debbie also serves on the board of Fish Florida, a non-profit organization which helps people—especially children—learn about fishing and Florida’s environment via proceeds from the sale of the state’s specialty sailfish auto license plate.Captain Debbie excels at putting clients on freshwater fish on the lakes and canals of Southwest Florida, whether that’s big Florida-strain largemouth bass, bluegills, or peacock bass. If interested, she also offers fly fishing trips. Debbie is a USCG licensed captain.“There are two primary freshwater bites during January that I focus on,” says Captain Debbie. “We either trailer down to Naples for peacock bass or up to Cape Coral canal system for largemouth bass—both on conventional or fly tackle.”“I specialize in running half-day trips,” says Captain Debbie. “And in four hours we typically catch lots of fish, starting around 7:30 a.m. and returning to the dock at 11:30.” |
| Deep Everglades/10,000 Islands Action with Captain Ray Van HornNPAA member Captain Ray Van Horn is a longtime TV fishing personality, champion guide, and consultant to several top fishing and boating manufacturers, and ambassador for Florida’s awesome West Coast angling opportunities. Fishing for tarpon, snook, and redfish from Chokoloskee to Cedar Key, and spending lots of time in Boca Grande, Captain Ray will show you how he catches the big ones and can help make your own fishing trip a Florida vacation to treasure.The tarpon is the ultimate light tackle fish. Ray fishes for tarpon with both fly and conventional tackle. At Boca Grande pass, fishermen are usually fishing either live bait and drifting or fishing jigs on conventional tackle.Anglers who book a trip with Captain Ray can expect a true fishing adventure of a lifetime.“We take people back into the deepest parts of the Everglades, places that only Google Earth has been to, quite frankly,” notes Captain Ray. “We typically arrive early in the morning and these areas are full of fish—everything from “juvenile” tarpon reaching 50 pounds and snook to 20-pounds, as well as redfish and seatrout.”Specializing in artificial plug and fly techniques, Captain Ray says he especially enjoys the teaching aspect of his profession, turning non-anglers into lifelong enthusiasts.“We can take someone who has never picked up a rod in their life and they can be productive in this environment because the fish don’t get any pressure. And you won’t see the part of the Everglades we fish in any Chamber of Commerce videos; we take the road less traveled. It makes for great fishing and a picturesque experience, too,” concludes Captain Ray. |
| Inshore Action with Captain John Campbell NPAA member and Iowa native veteran walleye pro and fishing educator, Captain John Campbell, competed at the highest level of walleye tournament fishing for nearly three decades. He has lectured at hundreds of outdoors sports shows and conventions over his career as well appearing on countless TV and radio shows along the way. While guiding during spring and summer months in Iowa, Captain John spends winters putting clients on fish in the Marco Island, Florida, 10,000 Islands region chasing snook, redfish, and seatrout on the area’s inshore waters. “For NPAA members visiting the upcoming convention in January, we could be on good, fishable water in 45 minutes,” notes Captain John. “During that time in January, there will be exceptional fishing for snook, redfish, and seatrout, which we can catch casting swimbaits or jigs.”“What’s great about the 10,000 Islands region is there are lots of islands, bays, and some great scenery,” adds Captain John. “My approach is typically to pitch shorelines, which provides a lot of action and consistently puts fish in the boat.”Book a half- or full-day guided fishing trip with Captain John via (239) 860-0976. |
| Plan to arrive to the conference early and stay after it ends. Worried about the additional expense? Don’t be. The NPAA has secured the special room rate of $169/night (double occupancy) at the 5 Star-rated Gulf Coast Crowne Plaza in Fort Myers, Florida, also home to the entire conference. The room rate is available for three days on either side of the event (pending availability), so come early and stay late to enjoy the beautiful Southwest Florida weather, world class fishing, and some of the best beaches in the country.Airfare rates have also dropped significantly in recent months and the hotel is only 5 minutes from the Southwest Florida Regional Airport (RSW). Book your airline tickets now to receive the lowest rates and don’t forget to try specialty airlines like Sun Country, Frontier, and Allegiant for airfares as low as $300 roundtrip.BECOME AN NPAA MEMBER TODAYBecome an NPAA member if you aren’t already—and pre-register now to attend the 2024 “Passion to Profession” NPAA Conference in Ft. Myers, Florida, January 5 – 7, 2024.The 1,400-member non-profit sportfishing trade association, NPAA, is asking guides, captains, tournament anglers, industry reps, sales/marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, educators and other recreational fishing professionals to join its cause, reaping the rewards of a united front and becoming part of a support organization that exists to benefit its members and partners. |
Former Classic champion David Fritts announces retirement from B.A.S.S.
Former Bassmaster Angler of the Year and Bassmaster Classic champion David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., has announced his retirement.
Photos by B.A.S.S.
November 17, 2023
Former Classic champion David Fritts announces retirement from B.A.S.S.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After a career that spanned parts of five decades, decorated professional angler David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., has announced his retirement from B.A.S.S. The 1993 Bassmaster Classic champion and 1994 Bassmaster Angler of the Year said his declining health and the rigors of the various B.A.S.S. schedules were the major factors in his decision.
“I had COVID-19 in 2021, and I still have what they call ‘long COVID,’” Fritts said. “I still can’t smell anything. I never got all of my energy back, and it sort of messed my heart up a little bit. My bones and my joints still work pretty well, but I just don’t quite have the stamina or energy I used to have.”
Though Fritts said he may still explore a less rigorous schedule, he doesn’t think he has it left in him to pursue the Bassmaster Elite Series or the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens.
That puts a cap on a star-studded career that began with the 1986 Georgia Invitational on West Point Lake and ended with the 2023 Elite Series event on the St. Lawrence River. Between those dates, he became one of the few anglers to win a Classic, an AOY title and the FLW Tour’s Forrest Wood Cup.
“Winning the Bassmaster Classic makes your career, and to follow up with the AOY in 1994 was really something special,” said Fritts, who had five victories and earned more than $1 million with B.A.S.S. “Winning the Forrest Wood Cup in 1997 was also a really big moment for me. All of those things were big stepping stones and building blocks for my career.”
After winning the 1993 Classic on Alabama’s Logan Martin Lake and then winning AOY the next year, Fritts came within 7 ounces of winning the Classic again at Logan Martin in 1997. He said that’s the one near miss that haunts him the most.
“I had my hands on the winning fish twice and watched it slip away,” he said. “For me, that tournament will always be like the 200-inch deer I shot and never found. I only think about it every two days or so.”
Besides his many victories on the water, Fritts, who is highly regarded as one of the best crankbait anglers of all time, had a major hand in designing some of the most popular crankbaits ever brought to market. His work included models for Poe’s Crankbaits during the 1980s, the mega-popular DT Series for Rapala and nearly every model of hard bait produced by Berkley, including the highly regarded Frittside.
“I like to think my work has helped a lot of fishermen,” he said. “The younger generation probably knows me more for the Frittside than they do for anything else — and that’s fine by me. That’s a bait that will literally catch anything that swims.”
Fritts said he believes he’s better at designing crankbaits than he’s ever been, and he hopes to keep doing that in some capacity. Likewise, he says fishing will always be part of his life.
“Fishing’s been good to me,” he said. “The last 10 years haven’t been great, and the last two have been especially tough. But overall, I’ve been blessed.
“The picture for the lock screen on my phone is me and Ray Scott when I won a B.A.S.S. tournament at Buggs Island. Ray did so much for me and promoted all the fishermen the way we needed to be promoted. Dave Mercer is great at it too. I can’t say enough about B.A.S.S. They made my career for sure.”
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Bobby Clark & Tommy Hughes Win CATT East Roanoke River, NC Nov 11, 2023
The East Fall Final is Dec 9th! Larry Thomas & Will James win the East Fall Points and will fish the Final Free! If we have 25 boats enter the East Final 1st Place will take home $2,000.00!
1st Bobby Clark Tommy Hughes 14.20 lbs. $525. 2nd big fish 4.46 lbs $69. 1st place side pot $350.
2nd Charles Weathersby 11.95 lbs $300. 1st big fish 5.03 lbs $161. 2nd place side pot $150.
3rd Larry Thomas Will James 11.37 lbs $200.
4th Rinnie Britt Dillon Britt 10m12 lbs $120.
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points |
| Bobby Clark – Tommy Hughes | 4.46 | 14.20 | $944.00 | 110 |
| Charles Weathersbee | 5.03 | 11.95 | $611.00 | 109 |
| Larry Thomas – Will James | 3.67 | 11.37 | $200.00 | 108 |
| Ronnie Britt – Dylan Britt | 0.00 | 10.12 | $120.00 | 107 |
| Wayne Stallings – Zeb West | 3.52 | 9.79 | 106 | |
| Jeff Stoop – Randy Vaughn | 2.96 | 9.56 | 105 | |
| Jason Samson | 0.00 | 9.24 | 104 | |
| Steve Bishop – Darryl Peele | 3.60 | 9.16 | 103 | |
| Allen Hawkins – Cecil Hamilton | 0.00 | 9.12 | 102 | |
| Donald Luther & Mike Kannan | 3.00 | 9.07 | 101 | |
| Brandon Johnson – Wilbur johnson | 0.00 | 8.67 | 100 | |
| Jerry Langley – David Langley | 3.93 | 7.58 | 99 | |
| Jerry Hardy – Larry Revel | 0.00 | 7.46 | 98 | |
| Jim Hipkins | 0.00 | 7.25 | 97 | |
| Kevin Jones – Tyler Jones | 3.29 | 6.49 | 96 | |
| John Clark – Bobby Barrett | 0.00 | 5.38 | 95 | |
| Mike Layton – Ray Layton | 0.00 | 0.00 | 85 | |
| Dickie Killinger – Ryan Killinger | 0.00 | 0.00 | 85 | |
| Danny Flynn – Brad Elks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 85 | |
| Jim Britt – Bradlkey Gooden | 0.00 | 0.00 | 85 | |
| Charles Anderson – Adam Haithcock | 0.00 | 0.00 | 85 | |
| Derrick Whitmore | 0.00 | 0.00 | 85 | |
| Total Entrys | $1,760.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $500.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $1,875.00 | |||
| CATT | $50.00 | |||
| East 2023 Fall Final Fund | $285.00 | |||
| 2023 CATT Championship Fund | $50.00 | |||
| 2023 East Spring Fall Fund Total | $1,475.00 |
Glenn Sparrow & Chris Bumgardne Win CATT Lake Wylie, SC Nov 11, 2023
Next Lake Wylie CATT Fall Qualifier is Nov 18 at Nivens! Come on out and join us!
Glenn Sparrow & Chris Bumgardner win Wylie with 5 bass weighing 17.09 lbs and weighed the BF at 4.85 lbs!
Ron Farrow & Roger Farrow took 2nd Place with 15.33 lbs!
Taylor Bonds & Hunter Hiers claimed 3rd with 13.72 lbs!
| Team | BF | Weight | Winnings | Points |
| Glenn Sparrow/Chris Bumgardner | 4.85 | 17.09 | $975.00 | 110 |
| Ron Farrow/Roger Farrow | 4.60 | 15.33 | $280.00 | 109 |
| Hunter Hiers/Taylor Bonds | 3.70 | 13.72 | $100.00 | 108 |
| Britt Myers Jr/Mike Stephens | 3.24 | 12.35 | 107 | |
| David Winters/Derek Lilley | 2.58 | 11.82 | 106 | |
| Mike Greene/Rick Rhom | 2.69 | 10.80 | 105 | |
| Jason Cougar/Kim Gray | 2.47 | 10.71 | 104 | |
| Dave Calbert/Bill Carothers | 2.44 | 10.32 | 103 | |
| Kale Steele/Kayden Steele | 2.16 | 10.21 | 102 | |
| Stephen Sparrow/Sawyer Sparrow | 3.23 | 10.11 | 101 | |
| Brian Whitworth | 2.66 | 10.11 | 100 | |
| Ryan Gee/Dan Gee | 2.14 | 9.41 | 99 | |
| Jay Adams Jr | 2.17 | 9.20 | 98 | |
| Mike Swick | 2.34 | 6.96 | 97 | |
| Mike Levans | 2.18 | 6.52 | 96 | |
| Joe Floyd/Mike Stone | 0.00 | 0.00 | 86 | |
| Christopher Cook/Timmy Boone | 0.00 | 0.00 | 86 | |
| Josh Pressley | 0.00 | 0.00 | 86 | |
| Total Entrys | $1,440.00 | |||
| BONUS $ | $350.00 | |||
| Total Paid At Ramp | $1,355.00 | |||
| Wylie 2023 Fall Final Fund | $335.00 | |||
| CATT | $50.00 | |||
| 2024 CATT Championship Fund | $50.00 | |||
| 2023 Wylie Fall Final Fund Total | $565.00 |
DAIWA’s latest technology means longer casts and better leveraged fights with big fish.
| New LEXA Baitcaster Design |
| DAIWA’s latest technology means longer casts and better leveraged fights with big fish. |
| FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (November 16, 2023) – Behold the newest design in big fish freshwater and inshore low-profile baitcasting reels, DAIWA’s brilliantly designed LEXA. Having achieved cult-like status with freshwater and inshore big-fish anglers, the long-casting and palmable low-profile baitcaster has been made even better. “We’re proud to offer exactly what anglers have been asking for in the LEXA. It features a new level of palmability, reliable and precise UTD carbon drag, MAGFORCE cast control, Infinite Anti-Reverse, and new EVA handle knobs, which are sure to be a hit with the guys chasing big toothy-critters,” says DAIWA Marketing Manager, Marc Mills. |
| “It’s a great reel choice for anything from saltwater to muskie fishing or any application where you need a larger low-profile reel. We’re seeing a lot of opportunities with this reel in Florida where anglers are throwing big swimbaits and bucktails for snook. We’re also seeing it take off on the West Coast for everything from yellowtail to calico bass; even guys fishing bluefin tuna will want it. Then you’ve got your striped bass markets, where the reel fits perfectly,” adds Mills. In a nutshell, as of ICAST 2023, the LEXA is available in two additional sizes—the LX300 and LX400. The newly redesigned LEXA is available with a power handle or a double paddle handle. “We switched to robust EVA knobs for grip and feel, and retained the same aluminum frame and side plate (gear side) design, brass gearing, MAGFORCE Cast Control, Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD), swept handle with weight-reducing cut-outs, and infinite anti-reverse of its predecessor,” continues Mills. |
| In terms of construction, the improved LEXA features an aluminum frame and gear-side plate that keeps all the gears in precise alignment. Speaking of gears and alignment, the new LEXA features a unique gear train that utilizes a hardened brass main gear and pinion gear. DAIWA employs the hardened brass to maintain durability when casting and retrieving heavy lures and high drag pressure that takes the brunt of the pressure. DAIWA’s proven MAGFORCE cast control system is also employed in the new LEXA, allowing the angler to adjust the tension of the spool and castability from the non-handle side of the reel dial with settings that range from zero to twenty. This allows a reduction in backlashes, longer casts in the wind, and better overall control of the reel. The reel also offers Daiwa’s Ultimate Tournament (UTD) system for a maximum of 25 pounds of drag pressure. LEXA is available in right- and left-handed versions in two different gear ratios: 6.3:1 and 7.1:1. Both were designed to meet the needs and expectations of saltwater anglers fishing different presentations. LEXA is the perfect stepping stone in the progression up to a LEXA HD or a LEXA TW. Available in multiple gear ratios—everything from a 5.1:1 to a 7:1. |
| FEATURES: Aluminum Frame and Sideplate (Gear Side) MAGFORCE Cast Control Ultimate Tournement Carbon Drag (UTD) Swept Handle w/ Weight-Reducing Cut-Outs Infinite Anti-Reverse EVA Handle Knobs MSRP: $219.99 – $279.99For freshwater and saltwater anglers seeking their next premium, precision long-casting baitcasting reel, look no further than the LEXA LX 300/400, a reel engineered with advanced technology and constructed of the finest and most durable materials available. |
| MATCH LEXA TO THE RIGHT RODPerfect for just about any inshore species. From snook, speckled trout, tarpon and cobia in the Gulf and Calico Bass on the west coast, Proteus Inshore Rods have all the right actions. Built with high modulus carbon graphite with DAIWA’s exclusive High Volume Fiber (HVF) low-resin design to make them strong and lightweight.MSRP $189.99 |
| For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us |
Randall Tharp Announces Transition from MLF to Bassmaster Opens
Randal Tharp Announces Transition from MLF to Bassmaster Opens
11.17.23 – Professional angler Randall Tharp, an esteemed veteran of the fishing industry, has recently made a significant decision regarding his competition plans for the upcoming season. Tharp has announced his departure from the Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour and his intention to fish the Bassmaster Opens as an EQ angler in order to requalify for the highly coveted Elite Series and potentially make a triumphant return to a Bassmaster Classic.
Tharp, who has been a prominent figure in professional fishing for 14 years, boasts an impressive track record filled with numerous accomplishments and tournament victories. Throughout his esteemed career, he has secured multiple championship qualifications, including five Forest Wood Cups, five Bassmaster Classics, and four Red Crest appearances. Additionally, he has successfully claimed a spot in every Heavy Hitters event hosted by Major League Fishing since its inception.
With a keen focus on building strong relationships within the fishing industry, Tharp has a deep commitment to representing his valued sponsors, such as ARC Bass Boat Technologies, Yamaha Outboards, Phoenix Boats, and other companies he has been collaborating with throughout his career. Tharp’s decision to transition to the Bassmaster Opens was not simply influenced by a preference for five-fish-limit tournaments or the scoring format; instead, it primarily revolves around how he can best support and promote these partner brands.
Unhappiness on the MLF Bass Pro Tour has been brewing within Tharp for several years, with one of the main issues being the lack of consistency in the tournament format. Over the years, the format has been altered multiple times, occasionally even during events, which Tharp finds unacceptable. Furthermore, Tharp has grown increasingly frustrated with the enforcement, or lack thereof, of rules in MLF tournaments. Witnessing these issues firsthand, he no longer wishes to be associated with them.
Another factor contributing to Tharp’s decision is the excessive idle time experienced during MLF Bass Pro Tour events. With events spanning nearly two weeks, there have been instances where Tharp has spent several days in a rental house without fishing. As a passionate angler, Tharp’s priority is to spend his time on the water, especially considering his limited number of competing years ahead. Therefore, he sees transitioning to the Bassmaster Opens as an opportunity to fish each day of a tournament, reigniting his love for the sport while maximizing his valuable time.
Regrettably, Tharp does not possess a “Legends exemption” that would grant him direct entry into Bassmaster Elite Series events. Consequently, he has chosen to fish all nine Bassmaster Opens next year, where winning an event guarantees an invitation to the prestigious Bassmaster Classic. Although his immediate goal is to secure a Classic berth, Tharp remains open to potentially qualifying for the Elite Series through the points system.
Looking forward to the upcoming season, Tharp is eager to compete once again in a five-fish-limit tournament with a weigh-in. He sorely misses the connection with fans on the stage and the camaraderie shared during the weigh-in process. Having fished his last Bass Pro Tour event in early 2023, Tharp believes that a return to the Bassmaster Opens will bring him a renewed sense of excitement and appreciation for this traditional format.
Tharp’s decision to transition to the Bassmaster Opens aligns with the evolving landscape of professional fishing. While the sport continues to change, Tharp remains steadfast in his commitment to competition and looks forward to reconnecting with old friends from the Bass Pro Tour, as well as forging new relationships with fellow anglers in the Bassmaster Opens.